• E-mail
• Print
• RSS

OSHA considers update of infectious disease standard

Hospital Safety Connection, February 9, 2012

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Hospital Safety Connection!

In July 2011, OSHA held stakeholder meetings to hear comments from leaders in the healthcare ­industry on the possibility of an infectious disease standard. ­According to the proposed rule, initiated in the spring of 2011, OSHA is concerned with the ability of healthcare employees to "continue to provide healthcare and other critical services without unreasonably jeopardizing their health."

As a result, OSHA began considering an infectious disease standard that would protect healthcare workers from dangerous exposures.

"We know that workers in healthcare and related facilities may be exposed to infectious agents, and they deserve to be protected," Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for OSHA, said in a July press release. "Information gained from these meetings will help us determine the best approach to assure that workers don't put themselves at risk while caring for patients and doing their job. After all, a good job is a healthy and safe job."

During the meetings, stakeholders discussed the advantages and disadvantages of an infectious disease standard, and to what extent OSHA should develop a standard that would require an infectious disease control plan to protect workers.

Read more at the Hospital Safety Center.

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to Hospital Safety Connection!

• E-mail to a Colleague
• Print
• RSS
• Archive